Fourth Grade
April Rosscup
"The wonder of being a teacher is watching caterpillars become butterflies." ~ Unknown
About the Teacher:
My name is April Rosscup and this is my second year teaching at Bishop Dunn Memorial School. I have a BA in Social Sciences from MSMC and am currently pursuing my MSEd with a certification in Literacy. Before my time at Bishop Dunn, I worked in the Arlington School District and was the Wild Reader instructor at the Newburgh Armory. Growing up I loved school and knew I wanted to spend my life inside the classroom. Being a teacher allows me to instill a love for learning in children and give them the tools they need to succeed in third grade and beyond.
Teaching Philosophy:
“Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!” ~ Mrs. Frizzle
I believe that in order for students to learn to their full potential they must feel safe and comfortable. That is why my number one goal as an educator is to create a safe and welcoming environment that feels like a second home. Once students are comfortable they feel safe to make mistakes and get messy! I teach my students that it's okay to make mistakes and that real learning takes place when things are hard. I strive to inspire my students with my enthusiasm for all topics covered and relate these topics to life outside of the classroom. I make sure students feel seen and heard by including their interests in our daily lessons. Ultimately I strive for my classroom to be a place where students come in every day excited to learn.
Welcome to Fourth Grade
Religion
The overall theme in religion this year is understanding, as God’s people, we are called to live as Jesus did, choosing a life of love, characterized by obedience to God and service to others. In addition to reviewing the parts of mass, we will practice the following prayers: Sanctus, Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, and the Apostles’ Creed.
Reading
Throughout fourth grade, the students will build their confidence as independent readers. Students will be taught various strategies on how to read for meaning. Students will build and practice their reading skills in small groups, independently, and as a whole class.
Writing
During our writing time, students will learn and practice key grammar concepts, such as sentence formation, punctuation, and parts of speech. Students will be given multiple opportunities throughout the year to apply their writing knowledge to various genres of writing pieces. For each writing piece, we will work through the writing process, from brainstorming to publication.
Word Study
This year we will be using the 180 Days of Spelling & Word Study book to guide our word study lessons. We will study word patterns to help build spelling skills as well build a stronger understanding of word meanings.
Math
Our fourth grade mathematics program is aligned with the Next Generation Learning Standards. The fourth grade curriculum focuses on the significance of place value in whole numbers, using the four operations to solve problems, measurement conversions, fractions, and geometry. In geometry this year we will focus on classifying shapes and identifying angles. To help students grow at their pace, we will be using our MAPS Accelerator program daily in the morning. To help students be successful, it is very helpful for students to continuously practice their math facts.
Science
Throughout the year in science, the fourth grade students will practice thinking like a scientist and following the scientific method as we explore different topics. Some of the topics we will cover this year include: the scientific method, energy, the Earth's features, and the behaviors of living organisms. Our fourth grade curriculum follows the Next Generation Standards for Science.
Social Studies
Social studies in fourth grade focuses on the history of New York State. Throughout the year we will study the geography of New York, local Native American tribes, explorers important to the history of New York, the French and Indian War as well as the Revolutionary War.
Our 4th Grade Classroom Rules
- Be kind to others and yourself
- Keep all body parts to yourself
- Keep your space clean and organized
- Respect others, yourself, and our school
- Don't talk when someone else is talking
- Use an inside voice in the classroom and be silent in the hallway
- Keep positive thoughts and try your best every day
Summer Reading Suggestions
- The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
- Frindle by Andrew Clements
- James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
- Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan
- Superfudge by Judy Blume
- The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
- The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
- Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
- Love, Amalia by Alma Flor Ada
Please click on the link to access this year's parent-teacher conference sign-up.